Creative mission
in the Czech Republic,
00:00:01.06\00:00:03.40
a prison choir in Kenya
00:00:03.43\00:00:05.82
and a translator who makes sure
00:00:05.85\00:00:07.80
it's not all Greek at
a Bible study in Athens,
00:00:07.83\00:00:11.45
all that and much
more coming up next
00:00:11.48\00:00:14.02
on Global Mission Snapshots.
00:00:14.05\00:00:15.85
Just before He
went up to heaven,
00:00:26.56\00:00:29.18
Jesus gave us a command.
00:00:29.21\00:00:32.17
He gave us a
mission. Jesus said, go.
00:00:32.20\00:00:37.25
Go unto all the world,
telling them of His love.
00:00:37.28\00:00:42.30
This is our mission.
This is our "Global Mission."
00:00:42.33\00:00:46.25
Hello, I am Gary Krause
00:00:51.76\00:00:53.01
and I'm so glad
you joined us today
00:00:53.04\00:00:54.55
on Global Mission Snapshots.
00:00:54.58\00:00:56.67
A program in where we take you
00:00:56.70\00:00:58.26
to the frontlines of
mission around the world.
00:00:58.29\00:01:01.68
At one time
Europe could have been
00:01:01.71\00:01:03.30
called the
centre of Christianity.
00:01:03.33\00:01:05.60
Today, it struggles to
retain a foot hold in Europe.
00:01:05.63\00:01:09.25
Many Christian church
buildings have become museums,
00:01:09.28\00:01:12.13
apartments, cafes
and even night clubs.
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Today we will
visit the Czech Republic
00:01:16.35\00:01:18.14
one of the world's
most secular countries
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and learn about a
creative outreach project
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called 'INRI Road."
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We'll also talk
with Lester Merklin,
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director of The Global Center
for Adventist Muslim Relations
00:01:26.73\00:01:30.20
about his personal
experience in mission.
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But first up, lets
visit Athens, Greece,
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where we will meet
Michel, who is using his English
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and French language skills
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to help share the
Adventist message.
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This is the city of Athens
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in the
Mediterranean country of Greece.
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The Athens
metropolitan area is home
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to more than
three million people.
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Among this population live
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thousands of immigrants
from all over the world.
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Many people come here from
places like the Philippines,
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India and various
countries in Africa.
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People come to Athens
for many different reasons.
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Michel is one of these people.
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He is from the
Democratic Republic of Congo
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located in Central Africa.
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He has lived in the city
of Athens for quite some time
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and now he calls this city home.
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Have you ever been in a room
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where you don't
understand a single word?
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This is an English
spoken Bible study in Athens.
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The pastor teaches the English
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but many of the immigrants
don't speak English at all.
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That's where Michel
comes in. He is a translator.
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Michel uses the
gifts God has given him
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to help others
understand the Word of God.
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Michel translates
the pastor's words
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from English into French.
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Since Michel came to know Jesus
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he wanted to get
involved in ministry
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but didn't know how
God could ever use him.
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After visiting this
group he saw clearly that
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God had placed him
in Athens for a reason.
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I'm very happy when I share
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with people the Word of God
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and the reception is
positive that I like it.
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Even if this
reception sort of be though--
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it would be hard I try
keeping on and teaching,
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keep on speaking,
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keep on just like
saying to people to accept
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because I know so I'm
telling them it's true
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and it's precious for His life.
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The group of
more than 10 visitors
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meets regularly in a
small rented apartment at night.
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The pastor teaches
them from the Bible
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and challenges them to apply
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these lessons to
their daily life.
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He approaches each meeting
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with a new topic
for them to discuss.
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The group members are
always interested in the topics
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and challenges the
pastor brings to the table.
00:04:03.23\00:04:07.24
The Bible study transitions
from studying the Bible
00:04:07.27\00:04:10.13
to sharing a meal together.
00:04:10.16\00:04:11.91
Visitors enjoy a home cook meal
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and the
opportunity for fellowship.
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They talk for hours
enjoying each others company.
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As you can see the
apartment is so small,
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they have to limit
the number of people
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who attend the meetings.
00:04:28.42\00:04:30.50
The church in
Greece prays for a building
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that can be used to
share Jesus with immigrants,
00:04:32.75\00:04:35.97
a place where people can come
00:04:36.00\00:04:37.51
and worship
together with out constraint.
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Please pray for this
group of eager followers
00:04:40.75\00:04:43.38
that they may find a
place to study with out limits.
00:04:43.41\00:04:46.97
Our guest is Dr. Lester Merklin,
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who is a missiologist
00:05:02.96\00:05:04.34
and is a professor
at Andrews University
00:05:04.37\00:05:06.88
in Berrien Springs, Michigan.
00:05:06.91\00:05:09.09
Dr. Merklin has served in
various parts of the world
00:05:09.12\00:05:11.83
including the
Philippines, Pakistan.
00:05:11.86\00:05:14.40
And thank you for
joining us today, Dr. Merklin.
00:05:14.43\00:05:17.95
How did your
experience mission begin?
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Surprise. I like that answer.
00:05:22.48\00:05:25.81
I received a
phone call in my office
00:05:25.84\00:05:28.35
where I was a pastor of one
of our high schools, academies.
00:05:28.38\00:05:33.12
And some one from
Silver Spring said
00:05:33.15\00:05:38.32
you've been
teaching in high school,
00:05:38.35\00:05:39.77
how would you like
to teach in college,
00:05:39.80\00:05:42.31
would you go to Pakistan?
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Wow. Quite started.
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And obviously you said, yes.
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I said nothing
for about 30 seconds
00:05:51.19\00:05:53.62
and he laughed and said
00:05:53.65\00:05:54.79
I will call you
back in two days.
00:05:54.82\00:05:57.73
And when they called us back
we said, well, we are willing.
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Okay. What did you know
about Pakistan at that stage?
00:06:00.77\00:06:04.59
Really nothing.
00:06:04.62\00:06:05.65
When the phone call came
00:06:05.68\00:06:06.74
I called my wife
where she was working
00:06:06.77\00:06:08.83
and said, you're
ready to go to Pakistan?
00:06:08.86\00:06:11.59
And she said, can you pick me up
00:06:11.62\00:06:13.20
the lunch let's
go to the library.
00:06:13.23\00:06:15.34
That was before Google. Okay.
00:06:15.37\00:06:19.09
So how long did you--
00:06:19.12\00:06:20.82
so you went to an
Adventist college in Pakistan
00:06:20.85\00:06:24.48
and how long were you there for?
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We were there for six years.
00:06:25.96\00:06:29.39
How did that
experience affect your life?
00:06:29.42\00:06:31.06
What did you
learn? Many, many things.
00:06:31.09\00:06:36.01
When I got on the
airplane heading there,
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in spite of the fact
of months getting ready
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I remember it hitting me,
am I doing what I should do?
00:06:41.92\00:06:45.15
How do I know I'm doing
the right thing for my family?
00:06:45.18\00:06:47.62
I would really not
been out of the country
00:06:47.65\00:06:49.14
other than Canada.
00:06:49.17\00:06:52.58
And here I'm taking family
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to a completely
different culture.
00:06:53.88\00:06:56.52
No real
preparation to understanding
00:06:56.55\00:06:58.95
an Islamic culture, et cetera
00:06:58.98\00:07:02.40
but we did well.
00:07:02.43\00:07:05.33
My wife was being the
more out going person.
00:07:05.36\00:07:08.26
She was out in the
community even more than I,
00:07:08.29\00:07:10.78
of course I was
busy in the campus
00:07:10.81\00:07:13.05
but she is well known there.
00:07:13.08\00:07:14.55
Few years later when
I went back for a while
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the word got
out that was in town
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and the merchants
00:07:19.77\00:07:21.74
and so on came
from town to see me,
00:07:21.77\00:07:23.91
gave me gifts to
take back to my family.
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Isn't that nice.
00:07:25.65\00:07:28.19
So later on you
became the director
00:07:28.22\00:07:30.41
of the Institute
of World Mission,
00:07:30.44\00:07:31.85
which actually trains
missionaries for going overseas
00:07:31.88\00:07:34.53
but when you
went out to Pakistan,
00:07:34.56\00:07:36.85
there was no
Institute of World Mission.
00:07:36.88\00:07:40.34
We did go to the
mission institute
00:07:40.37\00:07:43.10
which was a great experience.
00:07:43.13\00:07:46.12
The instructors at
that time were from--
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were experienced
in Papua New Guinea
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and some where
in Africa, I think.
00:07:52.17\00:07:53.96
Okay, okay. So was--
00:07:53.99\00:07:55.04
Nothing was matching
about this group of people
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who have now
become my friends. Right.
00:07:58.91\00:08:00.87
So you've got general
missiologcal principles
00:08:00.90\00:08:04.59
but no real
training so, you had a--
00:08:04.62\00:08:07.29
you learned
quickly on the ground.
00:08:07.32\00:08:10.55
We had to learn quickly.
00:08:10.58\00:08:11.81
We've landed in Karachi late,
00:08:11.84\00:08:15.54
airplane was late, missing
the connection to Lahore,
00:08:15.57\00:08:20.12
knowing nothing, nobody there
of course in Karachi to meet us.
00:08:20.15\00:08:23.75
They have said,
sorry the next airplane
00:08:23.78\00:08:25.60
will be in three days
00:08:25.63\00:08:27.52
and my wife being
the beautiful blonde
00:08:27.55\00:08:29.62
she is, you know,
the men of Pakistan
00:08:29.65\00:08:32.41
we're just kind of
watching her to the point
00:08:32.44\00:08:35.12
she said, let's go home.
00:08:35.15\00:08:37.69
But that's the
last time I heard that.
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We've enjoyed
the next six years.
00:08:40.57\00:08:43.47
And my wife would get a horse
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from the tangewala
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and head out the
irrigation canals
00:08:48.78\00:08:51.99
riding horses was
well known in Pakistan.
00:08:52.02\00:08:55.69
I'm sure. I'm sure.
00:08:55.72\00:08:57.73
I remember this some years ago
00:08:57.76\00:08:59.02
I had a train trip
from Lahore to Karachi
00:08:59.05\00:09:01.85
and I remember
going into an area
00:09:01.88\00:09:05.63
where they have some
kids playing cricket.
00:09:05.66\00:09:06.97
They just had a stick
and some makeshift ball
00:09:07.00\00:09:10.04
and I just started saying--
00:09:10.07\00:09:12.09
they started
calling out to me names
00:09:12.12\00:09:13.89
of the Australian
cricket team players.
00:09:13.92\00:09:16.77
They know.
00:09:16.80\00:09:18.01
I learned to listen, I
mean, totally different culture,
00:09:18.04\00:09:20.38
different age
group, different language
00:09:20.41\00:09:22.92
but you can always find
some connection point. Oh, yeah.
00:09:22.95\00:09:26.07
And I think that's what
mission is all about, isn't it?
00:09:26.10\00:09:27.92
Finding those
connection points. Sure it is.
00:09:27.95\00:09:29.56
And my poor son he
grew up in Pakistan,
00:09:29.59\00:09:32.40
so we came back to the States
00:09:32.43\00:09:33.66
and he brought
his cricket stuff.
00:09:33.69\00:09:35.34
Did he? Couldn't
find anybody to play.
00:09:35.37\00:09:37.65
Well, I hope he hasn't
corrupted into baseball, has he?
00:09:37.68\00:09:41.70
No, football,
soccer. Okay, right.
00:09:41.73\00:09:44.14
So you were in Pakistan,
00:09:44.17\00:09:45.69
you also serve
sometime in the Philippines,
00:09:45.72\00:09:47.48
what were you doing there?
00:09:47.51\00:09:48.68
Philippines, I was
teaching gradual level
00:09:48.71\00:09:51.84
and dean of our
seminary in Philippines.
00:09:51.87\00:09:56.33
So when you look back
at your mission experience
00:09:56.36\00:09:58.83
was it worth it? Oh, yeah.
00:09:58.86\00:10:01.17
You see, you do it
again. It was worth it for me.
00:10:01.20\00:10:03.95
Hope fully it was worth it
00:10:03.98\00:10:05.01
for the people
that we served. Yeah.
00:10:05.04\00:10:06.94
Well, so it was a
two way thing, isn't?
00:10:06.97\00:10:08.37
I mean, you're there to serve
that they minister to us well.
00:10:08.40\00:10:11.31
Definitely, were
different people because of it.
00:10:11.34\00:10:14.16
In fact when people
ask me now where are you?
00:10:14.19\00:10:15.99
I say I'm exhale to Andrews,
00:10:16.02\00:10:19.39
even though we enjoy
the people. Of course.
00:10:19.42\00:10:21.60
Can you imagine the
difference between Michigan
00:10:21.63\00:10:23.85
and the palm
trees of Philippines.
00:10:23.88\00:10:25.56
Yeah, exactly.
00:10:25.59\00:10:27.34
Well, Lester,
thanks for giving us
00:10:27.37\00:10:28.73
a little inside in to what
it's like to serve in mission.
00:10:28.76\00:10:32.30
I appreciate it. Good.
00:10:32.33\00:10:34.22
And viewers at home,
00:10:34.25\00:10:36.34
Adventist
mission around the world
00:10:36.37\00:10:39.41
involve us many
different things.
00:10:39.44\00:10:41.50
Dr. Merklin was
sharing about education.
00:10:41.53\00:10:44.17
We have many
different education facilities,
00:10:44.20\00:10:48.26
some facilities such as
00:10:48.29\00:10:50.52
Loma Linda
University in California.
00:10:50.55\00:10:52.87
It's a huge operation and
state of the art buildings.
00:10:52.90\00:10:58.15
We have other areas of the world
00:10:58.18\00:10:59.76
where we have
schools that are small,
00:10:59.79\00:11:01.77
that are struggling,
that don't have the facilities
00:11:01.80\00:11:05.46
that they need
00:11:05.49\00:11:06.93
but education is
making a terrific
00:11:06.96\00:11:09.94
impression around the world,
00:11:09.97\00:11:11.07
touching thousands
of different lives.
00:11:11.10\00:11:13.42
We also have medical systems,
00:11:13.45\00:11:16.53
we have hospitals and
clinics that are touching lives.
00:11:16.56\00:11:20.02
We've media outreach.
00:11:20.05\00:11:22.47
We have publishing houses,
00:11:22.50\00:11:23.65
we have so many
different aspects of mission.
00:11:23.68\00:11:26.37
But missionaries are
people who need our prayers.
00:11:26.40\00:11:30.15
It can be a world
changing experience
00:11:30.18\00:11:33.53
but it can be a
lonely experience,
00:11:33.56\00:11:35.54
at times it can be a
discourage experience
00:11:35.57\00:11:38.33
and its very encouraging
from missionaries to know
00:11:38.36\00:11:41.47
that there is a world
church that is praying for them.
00:11:41.50\00:11:45.84
I grew up praying for the
Missionaries in the Islands
00:11:45.87\00:11:48.71
and I make it a
habit today to still pray
00:11:48.74\00:11:50.77
for the missionaries every day.
00:11:50.80\00:11:52.73
If you would like to find out
more about Adventist Mission,
00:11:52.76\00:11:55.50
please go to our
website at AdventistMission.org,
00:11:55.53\00:11:58.67
easy to remember.
00:11:58.70\00:12:00.46
There you can find
pictures, you can find videos,
00:12:00.49\00:12:03.03
you can find missionary
blogs, you can find stories,
00:12:03.06\00:12:06.46
inspirational stories,
00:12:06.49\00:12:08.12
information about
challenges that remain,
00:12:08.15\00:12:10.22
and information on
how you can be involved.
00:12:10.25\00:12:12.69
AdventistMission.org.
00:12:12.72\00:12:14.49
As we look around the world
00:13:03.39\00:13:04.72
we see that
there are many places
00:13:04.75\00:13:06.68
where the Seventh-day
Adventist Churches very strong.
00:13:06.71\00:13:10.02
But there are
other parts of the world
00:13:10.05\00:13:11.59
where our mission
work is far more challenged
00:13:11.62\00:13:14.36
and seemingly less effective.
00:13:14.39\00:13:17.11
As we go to the region of Europe
00:13:17.14\00:13:19.42
we see places
such as Czech Republic
00:13:19.45\00:13:22.47
where the rate of atheism
00:13:22.50\00:13:24.37
and unbelief is the
highest any where in the world.
00:13:24.40\00:13:28.52
My guest who I'm very pleased
to welcome is Earley Simon.
00:13:28.55\00:13:32.14
Thanks for joining us, Earley.
00:13:32.17\00:13:33.36
Thanks for inviting me.
00:13:33.39\00:13:34.54
You know, when we look at a
place like the Czech Republic,
00:13:34.57\00:13:38.29
once a very
strong Christian country
00:13:38.32\00:13:40.90
but today, when you
look at the list of countries
00:13:40.93\00:13:44.78
where atheism is
strongest it's right at the top.
00:13:44.81\00:13:47.58
You've visited there
recently what did you find?
00:13:47.61\00:13:49.98
I had amazing privilege
to go to the Czech Republic.
00:13:50.01\00:13:52.52
I just love that
place, it's beautiful.
00:13:52.55\00:13:54.75
For of those who
haven't been there you know,
00:13:54.78\00:13:57.06
we went to the city of
Prague and the church there,
00:13:57.09\00:14:00.10
we were talking to
some of the church leaders,
00:14:00.13\00:14:01.90
they do have a hard
time reaching the people.
00:14:01.93\00:14:04.47
The mindset just isn't you
know, towards Christianity,
00:14:04.50\00:14:07.61
so it's very hard to appeal.
00:14:07.64\00:14:09.46
And they have
one challenge there
00:14:09.49\00:14:12.86
that is to reach young people.
00:14:12.89\00:14:14.64
Some folks, some
children grown in families
00:14:14.67\00:14:18.09
were they taught you know,
00:14:18.12\00:14:19.22
about the Bible
about the Sabbath
00:14:19.25\00:14:20.66
and different doctrines.
00:14:20.69\00:14:22.39
But as they grow and
they go to University
00:14:22.42\00:14:25.32
they tend to leave the faith
00:14:25.35\00:14:27.31
because that's
what everybody does,
00:14:27.34\00:14:28.65
that's what the
culture pushes you towards.
00:14:28.68\00:14:31.26
So what the Church did
is they came up with this,
00:14:31.29\00:14:33.37
this project called "INRI Road"
00:14:33.40\00:14:35.52
which is a
project very strategic
00:14:35.55\00:14:37.49
to reach the
people in those years
00:14:37.52\00:14:40.15
where they're
making the decision
00:14:40.18\00:14:41.48
to leave the faith, you know.
00:14:41.51\00:14:43.63
So they are not just
preaching to young people,
00:14:43.66\00:14:46.68
they are doing
something very appropriate.
00:14:46.71\00:14:48.48
It's interesting for them.
00:14:48.51\00:14:49.60
They will call the young people
00:14:49.63\00:14:50.66
and they say come
have fellowship with us,
00:14:50.69\00:14:53.95
come within
special programs with us,
00:14:53.98\00:14:56.02
we have tons of activities
00:14:56.05\00:14:57.87
there you can
participate and they do.
00:14:57.90\00:14:59.29
They go out for bowling,
they play soccer together,
00:14:59.32\00:15:03.13
they have parties together,
00:15:03.16\00:15:04.51
they have lot of activities
to engage the young people.
00:15:04.54\00:15:07.77
And on top of that
they do meet on Saturdays
00:15:07.80\00:15:09.74
and through out the week
just for the young people
00:15:09.77\00:15:12.74
so it's for them.
00:15:12.77\00:15:14.90
I went there, I
love my church in the US
00:15:14.93\00:15:17.07
but I went there and I felt like
00:15:17.10\00:15:18.20
if there is a
church like this in my town
00:15:18.23\00:15:19.62
I would definitely turn.
00:15:19.65\00:15:21.61
Now in what way
are they connecting
00:15:21.64\00:15:24.33
these young people to mission?
00:15:24.36\00:15:28.62
It's giving them a place
because in the university years
00:15:28.65\00:15:33.59
the young people
turn to leave the church
00:15:33.62\00:15:35.61
because there is
no place for them.
00:15:35.64\00:15:37.28
They don't really find
anybody that can relate to
00:15:37.31\00:15:38.79
so this is
giving them a community
00:15:38.82\00:15:40.34
where they can
believe in the same thing
00:15:40.37\00:15:42.66
and continue to faith. Okay.
00:15:42.69\00:15:45.14
It's a pretty
interesting concept.
00:15:45.17\00:15:46.78
Is it some where, where
they can invite their friends?
00:15:46.81\00:15:49.93
And you know, when we were there
00:15:49.96\00:15:50.99
we heard a lot of really
interesting stories about people
00:15:51.02\00:15:55.16
who invited
friends and they came
00:15:55.19\00:15:56.94
and they either started
believing again in their faith
00:15:56.97\00:16:01.20
or you know, got converted.
00:16:01.23\00:16:03.16
There is one story that a person
00:16:03.19\00:16:04.90
that I've actually met
there at the interviewed,
00:16:04.93\00:16:06.16
her name is Jana,
she wasn't an Adventist.
00:16:06.19\00:16:09.86
She had grown up, you
know, going to parties,
00:16:09.89\00:16:12.07
drinking, smoking and
for some portions of life
00:16:12.10\00:16:14.89
she even used drugs.
00:16:14.92\00:16:16.44
And she never
encountered any Christians
00:16:16.47\00:16:18.39
or Adventists for that matter.
00:16:18.42\00:16:20.29
And when she
went to the university
00:16:20.32\00:16:22.06
she met three
Christian people there.
00:16:22.09\00:16:25.09
And she as she was
becoming friends with them
00:16:25.12\00:16:27.99
she realized that
these people are happy
00:16:28.02\00:16:30.49
and they don't drink,
they don't go to parties,
00:16:30.52\00:16:32.24
they don't use
drugs but they're happy.
00:16:32.27\00:16:34.20
And they continued to
develop the relationship
00:16:34.23\00:16:36.39
and after some years
00:16:36.42\00:16:37.73
I actuallyy moved in
with the Adventist girl
00:16:37.76\00:16:39.55
cause there
were three Christians
00:16:39.58\00:16:40.61
just one was Adventist.
00:16:40.64\00:16:42.13
She moved in with
the Adventist girl
00:16:42.16\00:16:43.98
started learning
more about the faith
00:16:44.01\00:16:46.11
and the Adventist
girl was going to INRI Road
00:16:46.14\00:16:48.46
so she invited
Jana to go with her.
00:16:48.49\00:16:51.23
Jana went, she
liked the setting,
00:16:51.26\00:16:52.83
she liked the activities
00:16:52.86\00:16:54.30
and she decided
to do Bible Studies
00:16:54.33\00:16:56.44
and started learning
more about the faith.
00:16:56.47\00:16:58.78
And pretty soon she
had to make a decision,
00:16:58.81\00:17:00.04
you know, should I give
up my drinking my alcohol.
00:17:00.07\00:17:04.10
Can I be as happy
inside of the church
00:17:04.13\00:17:05.60
as outside of the church?
00:17:05.63\00:17:07.43
And she found that she could.
00:17:07.46\00:17:08.99
It was tough challenge for her
00:17:09.02\00:17:10.50
but she started
giving up those things.
00:17:10.53\00:17:12.09
Started relationship
with a boyfriend too
00:17:12.12\00:17:13.75
that didn't want
to be a Christian,
00:17:13.78\00:17:14.81
so she let him go.
00:17:14.84\00:17:17.01
And her conversion
story is just beautiful.
00:17:17.04\00:17:19.33
How she encountered the faith
00:17:19.36\00:17:21.27
and not only
believed those things
00:17:21.30\00:17:22.87
but she saw
happiness in it, you know,
00:17:22.90\00:17:24.83
and she was content with
participating in those programs.
00:17:24.86\00:17:27.86
And she left all
of her bad habits
00:17:27.89\00:17:30.29
and became part of INRI Road.
00:17:30.32\00:17:32.43
But if I may before
you ask another question,
00:17:32.46\00:17:35.87
we talk to a
number of young people
00:17:35.90\00:17:37.66
and it was amazing to see that
00:17:37.69\00:17:39.75
some kids who're
leaving the church
00:17:39.78\00:17:41.48
well, because of INRI
Road they decide to come back.
00:17:41.51\00:17:43.47
And now they are
not only participating
00:17:43.50\00:17:45.60
but they are, you
know, taking an active part.
00:17:45.63\00:17:48.62
And some of the young people
00:17:48.65\00:17:49.94
there are leading
some of the prayer groups
00:17:49.97\00:17:52.53
and Bible study groups.
00:17:52.56\00:17:53.73
And there is one
man that we met John,
00:17:53.76\00:17:56.21
he actually took that further.
00:17:56.24\00:17:58.16
He was converted in to Adventism
00:17:58.19\00:18:00.10
and he said you know, I don't
want to leave it just here.
00:18:00.13\00:18:02.09
I'm gonna go the
seminary and become a pastor
00:18:02.12\00:18:04.18
so that I can began
INRI Road somewhere else.
00:18:04.21\00:18:06.69
So this-- this has
been a very effective
00:18:06.72\00:18:09.08
you know, project of
this churches invested in.
00:18:09.11\00:18:12.93
I still not--I'm still not
sure of the name of the title
00:18:12.96\00:18:15.75
the title of the program,
what is it called again?
00:18:15.78\00:18:17.63
It's called INRI
Road which is I-N-R-I.
00:18:17.66\00:18:21.86
It's the sign that they
put on top of Jesus Cross.
00:18:21.89\00:18:23.95
Ah, got it.
00:18:23.98\00:18:25.01
Yeah, Jesus of Nazareth,
King of the Jews. Okay.
00:18:25.04\00:18:28.38
So that's where
they got the name
00:18:28.41\00:18:30.30
from INRI Road in Jesus
way, that's what they call.
00:18:30.33\00:18:32.42
Well, this sounds a
fabulous program to me
00:18:32.45\00:18:34.73
because we are seeing
increasingly in secular
00:18:34.76\00:18:37.56
and postmodern societies
there are lot of people--
00:18:37.59\00:18:40.30
well, first of all
it's taking them a long term
00:18:40.33\00:18:42.16
before they come to a decision
for Christ in that process.
00:18:42.19\00:18:45.20
But the first step
often isn't just believing
00:18:45.23\00:18:47.49
the first step is belonging
they have to have a place
00:18:47.52\00:18:50.94
where they as if they
are home where they belong
00:18:50.97\00:18:53.87
and after that we find
them open for the other steps.
00:18:53.90\00:18:57.70
Yeah, you know, and the--
00:18:57.73\00:18:59.99
I felt like they do have
that sense of belonging there.
00:19:00.02\00:19:02.55
People go there, they
like go over activities
00:19:02.58\00:19:04.10
just to be there and they,
00:19:04.13\00:19:06.96
they start participating
in those activities
00:19:06.99\00:19:08.60
and then they encounter
00:19:08.63\00:19:09.66
the spiritual
activities as well.
00:19:09.69\00:19:11.63
They have retreats
00:19:11.66\00:19:13.75
and that's the
number one element
00:19:13.78\00:19:15.24
that everybody mention
00:19:15.27\00:19:16.30
this was my
favorite thing when we work.
00:19:16.33\00:19:18.98
So soccer, bowling is good
00:19:19.01\00:19:20.71
but the spiritual activity
00:19:20.74\00:19:21.77
is really what
drives them. Excellent.
00:19:21.80\00:19:23.87
Earley, thank you so
much for sharing with us.
00:19:23.90\00:19:27.33
And before we go viewers,
00:19:27.36\00:19:28.96
I just want to tell
you about this magazine,
00:19:28.99\00:19:32.10
Mission 360 magazine
brand new hot of the press
00:19:32.13\00:19:36.01
but most importantly Earley,
00:19:36.04\00:19:37.89
this is not just a
physical print magazine
00:19:37.92\00:19:41.46
it is on a digital flat form.
00:19:41.49\00:19:44.57
People can go to
Mission360mag.org
00:19:44.60\00:19:47.87
and they can
download on to what?
00:19:47.90\00:19:49.88
Very nice, into
their iPad or to computer.
00:19:49.91\00:19:52.11
Yeah, iPad,
computer, iPhone whatever
00:19:52.14\00:19:55.36
but its available
free online to anybody
00:19:55.39\00:19:58.68
full of stories,
wonderful stories,
00:19:58.71\00:20:00.67
mission stories
from around the world.
00:20:00.70\00:20:02.44
Thanks, Earley.
00:20:02.47\00:20:03.92
The Czech Republic is
one of the most secular
00:20:23.93\00:20:26.21
and postmodern
countries in Europe.
00:20:26.24\00:20:29.02
Many young
people in Czech Republic
00:20:29.05\00:20:30.78
and Slovakia leave
the Christian faith
00:20:30.81\00:20:33.32
during their university years.
00:20:33.35\00:20:35.43
In many instances
Christian education in the home
00:20:35.46\00:20:39.44
proves insufficient against
strong atheistic influence.
00:20:39.47\00:20:43.63
Young Christians struggle
00:20:43.66\00:20:45.18
searching for a place to belong
00:20:45.21\00:20:47.20
and people who
share their beliefs.
00:20:47.23\00:20:50.83
With this
enormous challenge in mind
00:20:50.86\00:20:53.24
the Seventh-day Adventist Church
00:20:53.27\00:20:54.88
developed a strategic
initiative called INRI Road.
00:20:54.91\00:20:58.93
INRI Road or "Jesus' Way"
00:20:58.96\00:21:01.47
provides Adventist
young people the opportunity
00:21:01.50\00:21:03.90
to maintain
their religious roots
00:21:03.93\00:21:05.48
and spiritual guidelines
00:21:05.51\00:21:07.49
while reaching out
to other young people.
00:21:07.52\00:21:10.25
Many students
at university level
00:21:10.28\00:21:12.17
have rarely or never
set foot inside a church.
00:21:12.20\00:21:16.34
INRI Road is their
place to learn about Jesus
00:21:16.37\00:21:19.64
and have some fun.
00:21:19.67\00:21:21.42
Students who attend
have the opportunity
00:21:21.45\00:21:23.44
to participate in a
number of activities
00:21:23.47\00:21:26.28
such as game
nights, sports, banquets,
00:21:26.31\00:21:29.49
prayer meetings,
Bible discussions
00:21:29.52\00:21:32.27
and special weekend outings.
00:21:32.30\00:21:34.87
With such a variety
of interesting events,
00:21:34.90\00:21:37.15
students don't feel the
need to go out for dancing,
00:21:37.18\00:21:39.88
drinking or drugs.
00:21:39.91\00:21:41.57
This is their
opportunity to truly enjoy life.
00:21:41.60\00:21:45.93
When you attend one
of the weekly events,
00:21:45.96\00:21:48.23
prepare yourself
for having a good time.
00:21:48.26\00:21:50.69
The programs
include lots of good music,
00:21:50.72\00:21:53.30
interviews, expert presentations
00:21:53.33\00:21:56.32
and many interactive
activities that provide a chance
00:21:56.35\00:21:59.40
to interact and
make new friends.
00:21:59.43\00:22:02.89
Many students
find that INRI Road
00:22:02.92\00:22:05.29
has been a turning
point in their lives.
00:22:05.32\00:22:08.08
Some would never
have stepped foot
00:22:08.11\00:22:09.60
inside a traditional church,
but INRI Road isn't traditional.
00:22:09.63\00:22:14.16
It meets the needs
of today's young people,
00:22:14.19\00:22:16.53
many of whom never
experienced Christ before.
00:22:16.56\00:22:20.68
John is a student
in the city of Brno.
00:22:20.71\00:22:23.87
Although raised an
Adventist he did not meet Jesus
00:22:23.90\00:22:26.67
until attending INRI
Road on a regular basis.
00:22:26.70\00:22:30.64
During his first visits he
did not care for the messages.
00:22:30.67\00:22:34.43
He was struggling to answer
some of life's big questions
00:22:34.46\00:22:38.52
and did not think he
could find the answer here.
00:22:38.55\00:22:41.66
But with time his
heart was touched by God
00:22:41.69\00:22:44.75
and he found answers.
00:22:44.78\00:22:46.73
Now John is an active advocator
and participant in INRI Road.
00:22:46.76\00:22:52.41
John found
Jesus to be the answer
00:22:52.44\00:22:54.56
to a lot of his
questions and wants to connect
00:22:54.59\00:22:57.64
with other teenage
students and help them.
00:22:57.67\00:23:01.75
John has decided
to become a minister
00:23:01.78\00:23:04.26
and to lead others to Christ
00:23:04.29\00:23:06.29
and to the practical
answers He can provide.
00:23:06.32\00:23:09.38
Please pray for the
important work of INRI Road
00:23:09.41\00:23:12.64
and for the many
lives it touches each day.
00:23:12.67\00:23:16.02
With your prayers and
mission offerings INRI Road
00:23:16.05\00:23:19.26
will enter more university towns
in Czech Republic and Slovakia.
00:23:19.29\00:23:26.38
If you enjoyed
those images of mission,
00:23:26.41\00:23:28.25
I know you want a
copy of the brand new
00:23:28.28\00:23:30.82
Adventist Mission calendar.
00:23:30.85\00:23:32.78
This beautiful
calendar will keep the people
00:23:32.81\00:23:34.72
in places of
mission in front of you
00:23:34.75\00:23:37.04
each day of the year.
00:23:37.07\00:23:38.90
So, if you live in North America
please accept this free gift
00:23:38.93\00:23:41.67
as a small token of
thanks for your prayers
00:23:41.70\00:23:44.45
and you support.
00:23:44.48\00:23:45.82
Just call toll
free 1-800-648-5824
00:23:45.85\00:23:50.50
or visit our website
at AdventitstMission.org
00:23:50.53\00:23:54.09
and ask for the free Adventist
Mission calendar or offer 305.
00:23:54.12\00:23:59.41
Just mention the
calendar or offer 305.
00:23:59.44\00:24:03.45
Well, I hope you have
enjoyed today's program.
00:24:03.48\00:24:05.44
Thank you, again for
your continuing support
00:24:05.47\00:24:08.02
of Adventist mission
through your prayers,
00:24:08.05\00:24:10.29
your personal
involvement and your finances.
00:24:10.32\00:24:13.44
As we close I hope
you will find inspiration
00:24:13.47\00:24:15.80
for mission in this music
video of the prison choir.
00:24:15.83\00:24:20.21
For Adventist
Mission I'm Gary Krause
00:24:20.24\00:24:22.67
and I hope you
can join us next time
00:24:22.70\00:24:24.36
right here on
"Global Mission Snapshots."
00:24:24.39\00:24:26.95
[singing in foreign language]
00:24:47.25\00:24:55.25